A man has been jailed for two years for causing an armed stand-off in King’s Lynn, Norfolk, last year.

Gedminas Bubelis, of Stonegate Street, pleaded guilty to causing criminal damage and being reckless as to whether life was in danger at Norwich Crown Court on February 20^th.

On September 21^st 2012, the 25-year-old damaged a gas pipe in his flat and threatened to set it alight. Several nearby properties were evacuated as a precaution and the street was closed to traffic.

A large contingent of police were called to the scene and hostage negotiators took over when Bubelis refused to exit the property. However, he eventually handed himself in to officers.

Commenting on the case, Chief Inspector Ady Porter said: “This incident caused maximum disruption to local people and had the potential to endanger life. We responded quickly and professionally and are pleased to see that this man’s actions are being punished.”

Earlier in the week, 29-year-old Shane Denton was jailed for five years and four months over a knife attack against a police officer in October 2012.

Following an evening of heavy drinking, he threw a bottle at the Holt Road Police station and was confronted by Sergeant Andy Smith. Denton launched a vicious attack, wielding two knives, but was restrained and arrested by Sgt Smith, who was protected from injury by his body armour.

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No further horsemeat contamination has been found in the course of meat testing by UK supermarkets and a number of other food businesses.

The British Retail Consortium (BRC) has revealed that a number of its members have completed their investigation into the purity of processed mince beef products and uncovered no new evidence of tainted meat.

On Friday (March 1^st), the group reported that 361 tests on more than 100 products had thrown up no new positive results and BRC food director Andrew Opie welcomed the news.

“The reassuring news is that another intensive week of testing has produced no new positive results. And, since this testing programme started in mid-January, just a third of one per cent of products have tested positive,” he said.

Between January 20^th and February 28^th, nearly 2,000 beef products were tested for the presence of horsemeat by BRC members.

The UK’s largest supermarkets cleared all 100 per cent of their products, while other BRC food member businesses have tackled 95 per cent of their wares.

Since testing commenced, 0.3 per cent of products have tested positive for the presence of horsemeat and Mr Opie pledged further efforts in this area would be forthcoming.

“Our members won’t accept anything less than 100 per cent compliance. We are working with the rest of the supply chain and with government to prevent any incidents in the future,” he said.

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The government’s Work Programme has been branded “extremely poor” by MPs in the Public Account Committee.

In a report released today (February 22^nd), the group noted that between June 2011 and July 2012, the scheme only managed to get 3.6 per cent of people referred to it off benefits and into work – falling well short of its 11.9 per cent target.

Margaret Hodge MP, chair of the group, promoted the Work Programme as being “crucial” in helping vulnerable people find and retain work, but claimed it had let down young people and those who are hardest to help.

“In fact, performance was so poor that it was actually worse than the Department’s own expectations of the number of people who would have found work if the Programme didn’t exist,” she said.

None of the providers contracted to the Work Programme managed to meet their minimum performance targets in terms of getting people into work – with the top performer only moving five per cent of people off benefits and the worst only managing two per cent.

Ms Hodge went on to call for the Department for Work and Pensions (DWP) to hold failing providers to account, in addition to promoting and sharing good practice.

“It is shocking that of the 9,500 former incapacity benefit claimants referred to providers, only 20 people have been placed in a job that has lasted three months, while the poorest performing provider did not manage to place a single person in the under 25 category into a job lasting six months,” she added.

However, a DWP spokesman hit back at the claims – stating that the report painted a “skewed picture” of the Work Programme’s performance.

“It is making a real difference to tens of thousands of the hardest-to-help jobseekers. Long-term unemployment fell by 15,000 in the latest quarter,” he said.

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Office Watercoolers South West Ltd. was started 10 years ago by local man Peter Brooks and now enjoys a turnover of £1.4million. Mr Brooks said: “We have come a long way since four of us started the business in September 2001 from my front room! We now provide chilled water and hot beverage machines to over 2,000 firms across the region, and I am proud to be able to employ around 30 local people.”

MP Steve Webb was told about the Stay Cooler! Campaign launched by the British Water Cooler Association (BWCA), which encourages employers to make sure that workers keep well hydrated. It highlights research which shows that consistent hydration can help improve workplace concentration, reduce headaches, and prevent feelings of tiredness, anxiety and irritability. John Dundon, the Chairman of the BWCA, added: “The message of the BWCA campaign is to keep water coolers in the workplace.” MP Steve Webb said: “I am always pleased to have the opportunity to visit local firms and Office Watercoolers are a real local success story. The team at OWC are proud of what they do and I wish them every success for the future.”

Media Contact Details

Name: Peter Brooks
Company Name: Office Watercoolers
Telephone Number: 01454332845
Email: sales@office-watercoolers.com

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Court cases related to the ongoing horsemeat contamination scandal are set to begin today (February 11^th) in Europe.

Britain is set to hold crisis talks with a number of countries on the continent and Environment secretary Owen Paterson revealed that processors and suppliers embroiled in the situation would be commencing legal action.

He branded the widespread contamination “sickening” and voiced his hope for a swift resolution.

“I will be talking to ministerial counterparts in Europe today because it is absolutely intolerable that a fraud is being carried out on the public,” Mr Paterson told Sky News.

Last week saw food retailer Findus become the latest company to fall foul of tainted beef products, withdrawing its lasagne product after it tested positive for more than 60 per cent horsemeat.

The Food Standards Agency (FSA) yesterday issued interim advice to public institutions, warning that “rigorous” procurement procedures are expected to be put in place.

“The evidence to date does not suggest there is a food safety risk. If further information indicates any health risk then the FSA will provide consumers with advice,” said the body.

Mr Paterson went on to note that the UK government is unable to institute a ban on imported meat unless a risk to human health is discovered.

“Arbitrary measures like that are not actually going to help,” he said. “We are bound by the rules of the European market.”

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A man has been killed in a collision involving multiple vehicles on the M18 in south Yorkshire.

The victim, who is thought to be in his 50s, was hit by traffic after stepping out of his vehicle following a crash on the motorway.

He was knocked down by an oncoming vehicle, which led to a multi-car pileup on the roadway.

As a result of the accident, the southbound carriageway on the M18 has been closed between junctions two and three.

This created massive tailbacks and congestion in the area, and drivers were advised to alter their routes accordingly.

The incident took place shortly after 7am on Friday (February 8^th) and no other motorists were injured.

The fatal crash comes shortly after a 35-year-old man from Carlton-in-Lindrick sustained life-threatening injuries after being involved in a vehicle collision while driving on the A60.

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Cuts to legal aid will mean that some parents/guardians will have no choice but to represent themselves in court if savings aren’t made elsewhere. When amateurs oppose experienced solicitors in court, a fair trial is rarely pursued as the counterpart with legal representation would often have the upper hand of experience. Ultimately, the decision should be made with regards to the child’s welfare, rather than which party has the most money. A recent survey suggests that nearly half (48%) of cases where a party is representing themselves in court, takes twice as long. It has also emerged that the ‘knock on’ costs to the legal aid cuts is expected to cost the taxpayer in excess of £139m, nearly half of what the cuts are expected to save. It is estimated that 595,000 members of the public will endeavour to proceed through the courts without legal aid.

Care applications have risen by 10.1 per cent since last year according to CAFCASS – an organisation committed to providing support to families involved in childcare cases. This means that family difficulties are on the increase and so cuts to the system will have a detrimental effect on family units for years to come. Areas that will no longer be eligible for legal aid include clinical negligence, debt, employment, education, housing, immigration, welfare and family breakdown, whilst cases the government considers serious such as domestic violence and child abuse will remain covered under legal aid. Although these problems are known to coincide as family breakdowns result in homelessness, domestic violence and other problems. But in reality things aren’t as linear; people experience a variety of issues that they cannot afford to deal with in court on their own, nor can they afford to ignore the problems.

David Atkinson, CEO for Atkinson Lewis and has worked in the field for 15 years spoke about the threat of cuts to legal aid “It seems as though the legal aid cuts will have a detrimental effect on everybody involved in the child protection system but at a time of cuts and economic decline, we should be taking the time to analyse where savings can be made, with minimum effect to the public.”

He goes on to say “Often parents and guardians are at ‘war’ with one another and it is possible that some parents will resort to taking the law in to their own hands.”

Cuts to legal aid can be made extraneous if more effort was made to reduce unnecessary costs which technology can play its part in reducing.

Furthermore, the Crown Prosecution Service is also facing 25 per cent cuts over the next four years which has lead to the introduction of tablet PC’s to the entire criminal justice system, estimated to save approximately £50m across England and Wales. Atkinson Lewis believes this could be rolled across the family courts to contribute to savings which could enable legal aid funding to continue. The UK has long been considered as a centre for legal excellence and so it is expected to exceed the practices that are used within the legal system elsewhere. Other services like virtual courts will save time and resources for the courts, the legal system and the police which will effectively outcome in savings. ‘Live links’ enables court hearings to stream live video footage which can be used for witnesses, experts and clients without the need for transport and premise needs. Atkinson Lewis is now operating video conferencing facilities which are open for business.

Whilst most law firms are still using traditional surface mail services, many are discovering the cost and time efficiencies of working with new technology, rather than relying on traditional paper court bundles and couriers known to take several weeks. The legal sector as a whole should prioritise time efficiencies and security over everything else. Moreover, this technology considerably reduces a company’s overheads.

As a result, EDT by Atkinson Lewis is a secure file encryption software system, designed specifically for the use of professionals involved in childcare cases. It is a cost effective, efficient and an environmentally friendly alternative to surface mail services. There is no need to wait for delivery windows as information can be retrieved and sent instantaneously. The basements of law firms are often heaving with court bundles and documents. Days are spent keeping track of this mass of information which is often incorrectly duplicated and distributed.

Media Contact Details
Name: Kathryn Powell
Company Name: Atkinson Lewis
Town: Swansea
Country: Wales, U
Telephone Number: 01792 578623148
Email: kathryn@atkinsonlewis.co.uk
Language: English

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The UK Space Agency (UKSA) has appointed its next Chief Executive Officer today, January 22.

Dr. David Parker, has formally been appointed to the position with immediate effect after taking up the  role on an acting basis since December 2012.

He was previously director of space science at the organisation and has been involved in the UK space sector since 1990, having completed a PhD in aeronautics and astronautics at Southampton University.

“I am extremely proud to accept this position,” Dr. Parker said.

“The last two years have proved what we can accomplish in space through collaboration and targeted investment. Britain is working together for a remarkable future in space, and at the UK Space Agency, we are leading the way.”

He also heads the UK’s delegation to the European Space Agency and also chairs one of its most important committees – the Programme Board for Human Spaceflight, Microgravity and Exploration

Minister for Universities and Science David Willetts said: “I’m delighted to welcome David Parker as the next Chief Executive of the UK Space Agency.

“He has been part of the agency since its creation and most recently played a leading role in securing £1.2 billion of UK investment at the European Space Agency’s Council of Ministers.”

His predecessor, Dr David Williams left to take up a post with Australia’s national science funding agency, the Commonwealth Scientific and Industrial Research Organisation (CSIRO).

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A third man has been arrested in connection with the murder off an off-duty police officer in Edgeley, Stockport.

Greater Manchester Police had previously arrested two men, aged 20 and 21, on suspicion of killing 28-year-old PC Gareth Francis.

The third individual handed himself in to a police station last night (Sunday January 20^th) and was arrested on suspicion of murder.

Commenting on the arrest, Stockport Divisional Commander Chief Superintendent Chis Sykes expressed his sympathies for Mr Francis’ family and said the force was doing everything it could to investigate the incident.

“I would like to reassure them that we have a team of detectives working round-the-clock now to establish exactly what happened this morning,” he said.

At 1.20am on Sunday, police were alerted to an assault that took place on Castle Street in Edgeley. Emergency services were called to the scene and arrived within minutes, where they discovered PC Francis, who had sustained a serious head injury.

Despite receiving treatment at the scene, the 28-year-old was taken to Stepping Hill Hospital, where he died shortly after.

Police have called for witnesses to the incident and anyone with information has been urged to get in touch on 0161 856 9283 or via Crimestoppers.

PC Francis joined the force in 2007 and served with the South Manchester Division at West Didsbury Police Station.

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A helicopter has crashed into a crane in central London this morning (January 16^th), killing two people and injuring nine others.

The aircraft hit the structure in Vauxhall at around 8am and more than 60 firefighters are said to be in attendance at the scene, alongside police officers and the London Ambulance Service.

Witness Paul Ferguson told BBC News how the vehicle “plummeted straight into the ground”.

“It exploded and you can imagine the smoke coming out of it. It was probably heading from the nearby heliport,” he said.

Another bystander, Chris Matthison, told the news outlet that the crane had experienced significant damage in the incident and could be lying across Nine Elms Road.

“I heard a very unusual dull thud, then there was silence. The silence really took my imagination. Emergency services responded very quickly,” he said.

Police confirmed the crash had taken place, but claimed it was too early for any casualties to be confirmed.

The helicopter is said to have cartwheeled in the air before hitting the ground and exploding, sending up a towering column of smoke.

Witnesses also reported low visibility at the scene, with mist obscuring the top of a nearby tower block.

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